Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that leads to gradual vision loss. Unfortunately, there are two forms of macular degeneration – dry and wet – and symptoms can vary between each form.

Dilation eye exams provide your ophthalmologist with the best opportunity to detect early symptoms of macular degeneration, such as straight lines appearing wavy.

Vitamins

Diets rich in brightly-coloured fruit and vegetables, fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens may help slow macular degeneration. Foods high in vitamins C and E as well as lutein and zeaxanthin may provide protection for macula cells; eye vitamins also contain these vital antioxidants, helping slow disease progression.

Studies have demonstrated that taking certain vitamins and minerals can help protect against wet AMD, an advanced stage of macular degeneration caused when cells in the macula stop functioning correctly, leading to abnormally growing new blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula and result in permanent vision loss. A variety of treatments exist which work to block these abnormal new vessels’ formation.

There are various high-dose vitamin and mineral products designed specifically to assist those living with macular degeneration. These supplements were determined through an AREDS study which tested whether high doses of vitamins and minerals could slow the progression of wet age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamin D is an essential steroid vitamin that facilitates intestinal absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, plays an essential role in bone formation, helps protect eye health and can even protect the eyes. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to rickets among children or osteomalacia in adults; deficient levels can lead to serious health consequences including deafness. Salmon, tuna, beef liver, chicken livers and egg yolks contain Vitamin D in sufficient quantities; insufficient levels can even result in osteomalacia symptoms in adults – symptoms similar to deficiency caused by deficiencies of calcium or phosphorus in our bodies.

Lifestyle Changes

Macular degeneration can reduce central vision, leaving you struggling to recognize faces, drive safely or complete basic household tasks such as cooking or fixing items around the home. But don’t despair just yet: macular degeneration doesn’t lead to total blindness – instead it can be mitigated through lifestyle adjustments and by keeping an eye out for warning signs.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) occurs when cells in your eye known as the macula start to malfunction and send images straight to our brain, so we can see objects and images clearly straight ahead. Deterioration in these cells leads to AMD which may present as either dry or wet macular degeneration, respectively.

Macular degeneration often goes undetected during its early stages; therefore a regular eye exam is important. A routine exam can detect small yellow protein deposits called drusen under the retina which is an early telltale sign of macular degeneration – having regular exams helps detect it earlier and help catch disease early on.

As the disease advances, drusen will expand and become denser while macula thins and becomes dry. Furthermore, there may be signs of abnormal blood vessels developing under the retina which leak fluid or blood. This form of macular degeneration, known as wet macular degeneration, is more serious than its dry form.

Wet macular degeneration can be prevented or at least reduced through following a healthy balanced diet and taking regular vitamins such as Vitamin C, E and Omega 3 Fatty Acids; zinc and Lutein also play an important role. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables rich in these essential nutrients may also help slow or stop its progress; wearing polarized sunglasses outdoor to minimize sun exposure further helps as does keeping an exercise regime regular; this combination will decrease risk of worsening of macular degeneration.

Smoking increases your risk for both dry and wet macular degeneration, so if you experience any changes to your vision it is advised that you speak to an ophthalmologist immediately.

Eye Injections

Injections have proven highly successful at helping restore or preserve vision in various retinal diseases, including wet age related macular degeneration (WAMD). With Wet AMD (also referred to as Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration), fluid builds up in the central part of your eye called the macula and causes distortion or wavy lines which make reading or driving difficult. Eye injections may help by blocking off blood vessels which contribute to this fluid accumulation – providing immediate relief and stopping any further vision loss.

Eye injections can be safely performed in a clinic under sterile conditions. First, eyes are disinfected using povidone-iodine solution before placing a sterile speculum into each eye and applying small amounts of anesthetic cream before marking an injection site with an anesthetic eyedrop and administering injection under microscope into the white part of the sclera (white part of eyeball).

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or anti-VEGF injection is used in this procedure and has proven very successful at maintaining or improving vision in wet AMD sufferers, and also preventing disciform scar formation, the primary source of vision loss associated with this condition.

It is generally safe for this procedure, although there may be risks involved and should only be performed by trained retina specialists. After your procedure you may experience redness around your eye or gritty watery sensation due to superficial bleeding underneath the conjunctiva (clear covering over white of eye). This condition is known as subconjunctival haemorrhage and typically resolves within 24 hours with use of lubricating drops to ease any discomfort after it occurs.

ILUVIEN is a micro-implant injection made up of corticosteroids administered directly into the vitreous cavity of your eyeball. When administered correctly, ILUVIEN can help improve vision in those living with diabetic macular oedema by relieving eye pain and decreasing eye pressure, while STGD1 patients may find it easier to read, drive, or recognise faces.

Laser Treatments

Some forms of “wet” macular degeneration may be treatable with laser surgery, a brief outpatient procedure. Photodynamic therapy also uses focused beams of light to restrict or stop leaky blood vessels that damage the macula. Both may help preserve more vision; however they won’t reverse disease progression or restore lost sight.

Wet age-related macular degeneration occurs when fluid from abnormal blood vessels seeps under the retina at the back of the eye, compromising central vision and creating distortion or waviness in straight lines. This occurs as a result of degeneration to macula pigmented epithelium tissue beneath.

Certain laser treatments may help decrease fluid retention and macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion or diabetes. Your eye care provider will inject local anesthetic (such as bupivacaine or lidocaine, or both) before administering laser treatment to relieve any temporary double vision that may arise during this process; temporary double vision can be resolved by covering one eye during treatment.

Laser photocoagulation involves placing a special contact lens over one eye and using a device called a slit lamp to direct a laser beam at the retina. Depending on the condition being treated, eye care providers will adjust spot size, pattern duration and intensity of laser burn burn to optimize treatment results.

After your procedure, your vision may remain somewhat clouded for several days and appear as though there are shimmering specks (floaters) near areas where laser treatment was completed. Over time these should dissipate.

After receiving laser skin resurfacing, you should expect the area to become red and itchy as part of its healing process. For optimal recovery from your procedure, be sure to follow all instructions from your plastic surgeon for proper recovery from it. Once healing is complete, your skin should appear healthier and younger looking. To prolong its effects further by protecting it with sunscreen or following an appropriate skin care regime recommended by your surgeon.